Alabama will host one of the biggest nonconference games in Coleman Coliseum history tonight, as a Purdue team ranked #1 in at least one major poll makes the trip down to Tuscaloosa. As well as Alabama played in Madison Square Garden on Saturday, this veteran Boilermakers squad is a whole different animal.
Three keys to the game:
Can Alabama offer any resistance in the post?
Purdue head coach Matt Painter loves huge bodies in the frontcourt, and this year’s team is no exception. At the center position, Purdue will rotate
6’11”, 255 lb. senior Oscar Cluff and 7’4” sophomore Daniel Jacobsen. As the weight would imply, Cluff is a load on the block and, like most recent Purdue bigs, is a highly skilled an intelligent basketball player. He passes well, averages nearly a double double, and stays out of foul trouble. And if that wasn’t enough, last year’s leading scorer, 6’9”, 240 lb. senior forward Trey Kauffman-Wren, will suit up for the first time this season.
Alabama’s post defense has been uneven at best to start the season. Aiden Sherrell is by far the best of the bunch but sometimes finds himself out of position. Noah Williamson has the size and skill, but isn’t terribly quick. This could well be a game that Williamson sees extended time, if Nate prioritizes slowing down the interior game as much as possible.
Can Alabama get out in transition?
Oats could decide to counter the Purdue post game by going small ball and forcing Cluff to chase speedy 6’11” Taylor Bol Bowen, who is not only an outstanding athlete but can light it up from three. Bol Bowen would be overmatched defensively, but sometimes making the big men play faster than they’d prefer can wear them down and create easy baskets on offense.
In any case, it’s tough to imagine Alabama winning tonight if the game becomes a half court battle. Purdue’s size would be the difference at that point, and they have shooters everywhere. Alabama’s best chance of victory is to continue to play at a breakneck pace.
Who wins the battle of talented guards?
Alabama PG LaBaron Philon, who looked like a lottery pick on Saturday, against All-American senior Braden Smith is going to be prime time viewing. Philon has the capability of overwhelming Smith with his length and athleticism, but Smith is just a baller. He is averaging 10 assists per night and seems to always make the right play with the basketball.
On the wings, Purdue has a trio of shooters who are at 44% or better from three this season in Jack Benter, Liam Murphy and Fletcher Loyer, the latter of which has made 10 of 17 tries on the season. Philon’s counterparts are no slouch either, as Latrell Wrightsell Jr., Aden Holloway, and Houston Mallette are all more than capable of going nuclear from outside the arc.
Everything about this battle is going to be fun, and someone is going to notch a huge win that will pay dividends in March.
How to Watch:
Time: 6pm CT
Location: Coleman Coliseum, Tuscaloosa, AL
TV: ESPN2
Use this post as your game thread.
Roll Tide!
